Last updated on December 5th, 2018

LISBON WALKING TOUR 3: FROM AVENIDA DA LIBERDADE TO CHIADO (3 KM)

 

 

1. Parque Eduardo VII

Lisbon’s largest park was named after Britain’s King Edward VII who visited the city in 1903. The park, inaugurated in 1915, has two greenhouses with cacti, palm and banana trees, as well as exotic birds and tropical plants. If you have children, you may not get very far on this walk as they will want to discover and enjoy the playgrounds. To the north of the park, don’t miss the Jardim Amália Rodrigues, where you can get refreshments at the terrace bar by the lake.

 

2. Praça do Marquês de Pombal

The Marquess of Pombal oversaw the reconstruction of Lisbon after the Great Earthquake. One hand on a lion, his bronze statue gazes to the Baixa Pombalina that he helped rebuild. Although the statue was approved in 1882, there were several mishaps and delays in building the column which was finally inaugurated in 1934. The sculptures symbolize economic modernization and liberalization initiated by the Marquess.

 

3. Avenida da Liberdade

Laid out in 1879, Liberty Avenue is Lisbon’s biggest at 90 metres wide and 1.1 kilometre long. Styled after the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris, it used to be lined up with Art Deco and Belle Epoque stately homes and palaces, most of which have unfortunately been replaced by uglier modern buildings, luxury hotels and expensive designer shops. Pedrito usually does not bother shopping here as he and his friends are on an austerity diet. However a walk on the black and white tiles, under the welcoming shade of the trees along tranquil waterfalls and ponds is very pleasant.

 

4. Praça dos Restauradores

The Square of the Restorers is dedicated to the restoration of Portugal’s independence after sixty years of Spanish rule. The Portuguese Restoration War lasted from 1640 to 1668 and consisted of border skirmishes and town raids. The Portuguese were victorious in the few major battles, which are chronicled on the central obelisk, and eventually put an end to the Iberian Union. Take some pictures of the Eden Teatro, a cinema inaugurated in 1931 with an imposing Art Deco facade.

 

5. Estação do Rossio

Yes, from the outside, it does mimick a 16th century Manueline palace, but in fact this is Lisbon’s central train station! The terminus designed by Architect José Luís Monteiro was completed in 1890. Go in and step through the horseshoe gates!

 

6. Rossio (Praça de Dom Pedro IV)

Pedro IV of Portugal may be better known as Pedro I of Brazil, an emperor with a befitting tumultuous life in the New World. But Rossio Square really dates back to the beginning of the 13th century. To the north stands the neoclassical National Theatre completed in 1846. You meet up people at either end of the square around one of the baroque fountains. Now is time for a little halt at one of the cafe terrasses. You’re a bit more than halfway through our walk and need some nutrients and liquids. Get some pastries and wash them down with coffee!

 

7. Praça de Figueira

The Square of the Fig Tree was occupied by a 16th century hospital, destroyed by Lisbon’s Earthquake, then for the most part a market until 1949. It’s bustling and busy with lots of traffic!

 

8. Rua Augusta

You’ve reached Chiado and one of Lisbon’s most famous or infamous shopping streets. Whether you will buy anything, we don’t know, but you’ll look at a lot of things in the corner shops of this pedestrian area: jewels, furniture, books, clothes, foods and other delicacies. And there are street vendors, peddlers and musicians busking for a living: no doubt, this is the big city! The Arch was started right after the Earthquake and completed in 1873 to celebrate the city’s reconstruction.

 

9. Praça do Comércio

Also known as Terreiro do Paço, Palace Square was until the Earthquake the location of the Ribeira palace where the royal house of Portugal lived. The monumental square was designed by the Marquess of Pombal in the aftermath of the Earthquake. The buildings surrounding it have been occupied to this day by government employees, no doubt the same ones since. Enjoy hide and seek through the u shape galleries with a view of the Tagus

If you find our blog useful, please consider making a hotel or flight booking with our affiliate links. Happy travels!